Dental residents' perceptions of practice and patient management training during postgraduate education

The purpose of this study was to determine what aspects of practice and patient management matter most to dental residents and how they rate their level of training in these areas. In 2005, residents in twelve postdoctoral training programs at the School of Dentistry, University of California, Los Angeles, were surveyed about the importance of thirteen topics regarding dental practice and patient management. Residents also rated the level of training they received in these areas during their residency and dental school education. Results from the 2005 survey were compared with those from an identical survey administered to residents in 1997. Residents in 2005 rated time management, multidisciplinary coordination, and total quality management as the most important topics. Comparisons between the 1997 and 2005 groups found that time management and total quality management were significantly less emphasized in 2005 than in 1997. Residents from all specialties also rated dealing with health care payers as important to their future practices, but rated it the least emphasized topic in their programs. Results from this survey illustrate which practice and patient management skills are important to residents in comparison to how well they perceive they are being trained in these skills and suggest where programs could enhance their training to help residents run successful practices.